Letter shared about J.W. Gibson’s life

I received this special letter from dear friends Bob and Colleen Eldredge, of Orlando, Fla., upon the passing of my husband, J.W. Gibson, in December 2012. I just wanted to share these memories with other dear friends

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Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN

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Posted Jan. 30, 2013 at 8:02 PM
Updated Jan 30, 2013 at 8:04 PM

Posted Jan. 30, 2013 at 8:02 PM
Updated Jan 30, 2013 at 8:04 PM

OAK RIDGE

To the Editor:

I received this special letter from dear friends Bob and Colleen Eldredge, of Orlando, Fla., upon the passing of my husband, J.W. Gibson, in December 2012. I just wanted to share these memories with other dear friends

Mrs. J.W. (Edna) Gibson

Kingston

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Dearest Edna and family,

This note is to express our deepest sympathy to each of you on Jay’s passing. We know your sadness and feel an ache in our hearts for you as we also grieve for the man who we called a dear and special friend.

Through business when Bob met J.W. many years ago, Bob said he had met a man who was a good, ethical businessman, true to his word, helpful and willing to accommodate Bob’s entry into Oak Ridge. Yes, he even invited Bob over for dinner that evening, giving Edna about a minute’s notice that she was to set an extra plate on the table that evening. That day, there became a bond between Bob and Jay.

We were especially touched when you and Jay decided to buy a residence in Orlando. To us that meant that we had become close friends and you wanted to be near enough to us so that we could visit and do things together. That is, like got out to dinner for crab legs or La Cantina for steak or over to Titusville for rock shrimp. Then there were times spent on the lake at Narcoossee while just relaxing from clearing our acreage. These were enjoyable times of friendship and just being together.

Then there were our visits to Oak Ridge, the times when Bob so enjoyed driving around with Jay to see his projects, the farm and then having a man-to-man lunch. This was their special time. Of course, I had my special times with Edna while the “boys” were doing their thing. Speaking of Oak Ridge, when I gave son Tom the news, he said to me, “Mom, I remember so well the time when I went to Tennessee with you and Dad. One thing that brought back memories was sitting at the big table at the Gibsons’ house snapping string beans and having some good laughs.” Jim and Tanya also have their personal remembrances of a man who touched their lives. The Gibsons have reached into the lives of many with their kindness and generosity.

Jay was special, you know better than anyone else, but anyone who came into contact with him also knows. He was a man who cared; he was always trying to help others — those who were old, sick, in need or hungry. Whether it was by sending an old widow lady a truckload of wood for her fireplace to keep her warm in the winter; fixing someone’s roof to keep them dry; taking care of the needs of his family; or with his beloved farm, producing enough food to give to his favorite charities for distribution to the needy — he was constantly thinking of how he could help others.

Page 2 of 2 - His gentle, tender heart also came through with children. He loved his children and youngsters; his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and any other young ones he was around. It put a smile on his face to see the children get enjoyment from something he did for them or for the candy he handed them.

Jay was a businessman. He was smart, a thinker, a dreamer, but most of all a man who put his dreams to work. Not only was he a contractor, but one who gave birth to other businesses, born of his forward thinking and insight. Looking around Oak Ridge, one will always see Jay in Country Club Estates, Jackson Plaza, his pride and joy, Four Oaks, other mini malls and subdivisions to numerous to mention. Jay has left his imprint and legacy in his town.

We wish to say good-bye and farewell to a man who gave so much to his family, his work, his charities, and his friends. We will always miss him.